Luminous

Monday, July 22, 2013

"Senator Yerima and Constitutional Review" - By Maryam Uwais

Once
again, Senator Yerima is in the news, claiming Islam as the basis for
his argument that a girl automatically transforms into an adult of ‘full
age’ once she is married, with the attendant responsibilities that
relate to the renunciation of citizenship, irrespective of her age or
mental capacity. Because the Senator from Zamfara State has gone public
with his personal comprehension of the Shari’a, it has become necessary
to respond publicly to his utterances.

It should be pointed
out, however, that several media reports on the constitutional review
debate at the Senate give the impression that underage marriage has been
endorsed by the Senate Chambers. Facts are that S.29 of the 1979
Constitution permits a Nigerian citizen of ‘full age’ to renounce his or
her citizenship by declaration in a prescribed manner, for which
purpose ‘full age’ was stated to be 18 years and above.

The subsection
also provides that, ‘any woman who is married shall be deemed to be of
full age’. In its current efforts to review the Constitution, the Senate
Committee had determined that the particular subsection should be
deleted, basically because citizenship has no bearing on gender, as for
example, voting, the right to drive a car, possess a weapon or such
similar social interactions that are evolving or are germane to a
democratic Nation. Senator Yerima, however, vehemently argued (and
lobbied) against the removal of the clause, on the grounds that deleting
that clause was against (his understanding of) Islam. In his
understanding, a girl, once married, automatically assumes the full
mental capacity and responsibility to consciously make the prescribed
declaration of renouncing her citizenship.

This position needs
to scrutinized carefully, against the backdrop of similar positions
that obtain under the Shari’a and in our context, as a Nation. Does it
then follow that the married girl who is below 18, at election time,
would be permitted to vote, or is her not being issued a voters card
un-Islamic? Is the Senate now going to make an exception to that law,
permitting her to vote, or even drive, in accordance with (Senator
Yerima’s understanding of) Islam?

Contrary to the position
conveyed by the Senator from Zamfara, there is certainly no unanimity of
positions on such contemporary matters of social interaction, within
Islamic jurists or the various Schools of Thought. Surely where there is
‘silence in thetexts’ (i.e primary sources) or lack of unanimity as
regards a particular practice, that opening allows for a society to
determine for itself what is in its best interest (maslaha), in its own
context. What about married Muslim girls who inherit property? Is it not
the position that in some cases, where not considered sufficiently
mature (‘sufaha’, based on Qur’an 4:6), such property remains in the
custody of her guardian, until she grows to be intellectually mature?
This would, of course, depend on her age, mental capacity and the size
and nature of the property. Why does such property not devolve upon her
automatically upon marriage, to deal with it as she wishes,irrespective
of her mental capacity? There definitely appears to be no basis, under
the Shari’a, that would compel a girl to deal with matters of such
gravity as therenunciation of citizenship, merely because she is
married. Islam is certainly not so presumptuous or harsh as to burden
her with what she is mentally and physically incapable of bearing. Her
guardian is permitted to determine the age or stage at which such a
child can be entrusted with such grave responsibilities, the assessment
of her mental capacity being the main determinant.

As a Muslim
woman (without pretensions of scholarship) forever striving for
knowledge, research into these matters has revealed that in matters of
social interaction (mu’amalat), there is a lot of latitude in what is
permitted, unless it is expressly prohibited by a clear text. The rules
are certainly not so definitive. What is also evident is that the ‘best
interests of the child’ is a paramount consideration within Islam, along
with the principle of public good (maslaha or istislah). The
operational rules are not defined (probably deliberately, in my humble
view) and the determination of such issues is best left to the
experience, custom and context of the particular society. The Qur’an
provides that the predominant consideration in matters relating to
children would depend on the point at which they can be said to not be
‘sufaha’ (mentally immature) anymore, in the context of that particular
community.

It is interesting that Senator Yerima would rather
link the weighty and dispassionate subject of citizenship with his
understanding of gender vis a vis his perception of the age of marriage,
rather than with other matters of social interaction, such as those
relating to inheritance rights, driving or even voting. Indeed,
citizenship is a contemporary phenomenon within the Sharia, as in the
early days the concept of citizenship had not been defined and people
traveled across boundaries, without restriction. In a Muslim community,
when matters evolve, it is for scholars or experts in Islamic legal
philosophy-‘Usul-al-Fiqh’- and juristic reasoning (and not even those
solely learned in the Qur’an-‘Mussafirun’, the Fiqh-‘Fuqaha’ or the
Hadith-‘Muhaddithun’), to analyze the issues with a view to arriving at
an appropriate position for the context of that relevant community. In
this particular instance, it is certainly perplexing for the Senator to
insist so categorically that even a married ‘intellectually immature’
girl must be permitted to renounce her citizenship, irrespective of her
mental capacity. The foundation for such a general and sweeping
statement within the Shari’a is difficult to locate.

The
public good remains the overriding consideration in the process of
analytical reasoning by those qualified for the purpose, so long as the
deductions are not in direct conflict with the primary sources of the
Shari’a. Therefore, in following arguments repeatedly canvassed by the
Senator, it may be necessary to examine the context in which we live, to
determine what is good, for the purpose of encouragement and support,
and what remains harmful to our society, to be confronted, discouraged
or prohibited by Muslim jurists.

Today the North of Nigeria
continues to throw up Nigeria’s poorest indices on matters relating to
healthcare, nutrition, education, empowerment and productivity.
Consequently, unemployment, insecurity, violence and poverty remain rife
in that region. Statistics have it that 2/3 of the 102 million poor
people in Nigeria live in the North. Extreme poverty in the North
translates into extreme vulnerability to the effects of climate change,
food security and so much more. Incidentally, over half of the women in
the North are married off by the age of 16 and commence childbirth
within the first year of marriage. Also, of the 16 million births by
girls below the age of 18, 9 out of 10 of them are married.

Facts are that nearly half of all the children under 5 years of age are
malnourished in the North East zone, with women and children in the
nutrition ‘high-burden’ States of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa,
Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, Yobe andZamfara suffering the most from
malnutrition, wasting and stunting. This singular factor remains the
underlying cause for 53% of under-5 deaths. If the child is stunted in
its first 1000 days, that condition is irreversible, so the future of
these children, and the larger population, is permanently shortchanged.
The health and nutritional needs of mothers, new-borns and children are
closely linked, with young mothers accounting for a majority of severely
malnourished children.

Multiple health risks arising from
child marriage include the sexual exploitation (including forced sexual
relations) that she is subjected to, as well as limited access to
reproductive health services, despite the real and present danger of
contracting diseases such as HIV/AIDS, STIs (sexually transmitted
diseases) and the debilitating ailment of VVF/RVF (VVF-a tear in the
flesh between the vagina and the urinary passage, usually due to
prolonged labour, resulting in uncontrolled urine or feces in the case
of recto-vaginal fistulae-RVF), including the abandonment that comes
with such ailments. Nigeria, with 2% of the world’s population, has 10%
of VVF patients. Three-quarters of those with VVF/RVF are young girls
who are not yet physically mature but have suffered trauma in their
first pregnancy.

Statistics show that stillbirths and deaths
are 50% more likely in babies born to mothers younger than 18, as
against babies born to mothers above that age. Each day, 144 women die
in childbirth in Nigeria, with the North East alone having 5 times the
global rate of maternal mortality. The lack of information and access to
support ultimately results in psycho-social and emotional consequences,
domestic violence, abandoned (street) children, with the attendant
deprivations of their rights and freedoms, whose wellbeing is severely
compromised. The prevalence of the abuse of the right to the exercise of
divorce by Muslim men has only compounded the situation, leading to so
many negative social deviations such as substance abuse (that has become
so rampant), commercial sex work and the complete loss of values in the
entire family set up.

Many of these adolescents are married
off to men much older than they, and because of the associated power
differentials, this singular factor impedes communication between them,
with the girl having no negotiation skills in crucial decision-making
that may affect her life. Having lost out on these critical life
opportunities, these married adolescents can never aspire to living as
meaningful and productive members of society. Not being able to
participate actively in the community translates to their losing out
completely on benefitting from economic activity and earning a
decentincome. Many of these girls remain excluded from community life,
having been separated from peers and family members by marriage.
Depression sets in. A life of diminished opportunities. The community
loses out completely; the economy cannot improve where half its
population is stuck in this rut.

Child marriage, from
available statistics, ultimately hampers the efforts of these young
adolescents from acquiring an education, as sooner than later, they find
it difficult to combine the onerous responsibilities of being a wife
and mother, with schooling. They drop out, if they have not been removed
for the purpose of marriage, in the first place. Consequently, 70.8% of
young women aged 20-29 in the North West zone are unable to read or
write. Due to the fact that these girls are deprived so early of an
education (including the access to information and knowledge) they
remain bereft of the purchasing power necessary for an adequate diet,
healthcare,skills, or even recourse to support in emergencies, all of
which would enable them rise above the circumstances of abject poverty.
It is paradoxical that Muslims like Senator Yerima would rather their
wives and daughters be treated by female medical personnel if they fall
ill, and yet they are, by continuously advocating for child marriage,
deliberately closing the avenues for girls to aspire to such
professions.

Deprivations of formal and non-formal education
translate, at such an early age, into restrictions on mobility, domestic
burdens, the denial of sundry freedoms in respect of survival,
development and participation, as well as the loss of adolescent years.
Indeed, children of young, uneducated mothers are also less likely to
attain high levels of education, perpetuating cycles of low literacy and
limited livelihood opportunities. Child marriage, therefore, ultimately
deprives societies of the intellectual and financial/livelihood
contributions of girls, and of their offspring. It is no wonder then
that the North continues to portray such poor ratings in almost all
aspects of human endeavour.

As a consequence, MDGs 1 (relating
to eradicating extreme poverty and hunger), 2 (on education), 4 (on
reducing child mortality), 5 (on maternal health), 6 (on combating
diseases) remain unattainable goals (at least in Northern Nigeria), if
we cannot confront the consequences and implications of child marriage.
Evidently, the geography of poverty requires a coherent and urgent
Northern strategy and a solution to the instability that has bedeviled
the region in recent years. Against this background of grim data, we can
ill afford to play politics with the obvious deficiencies in our human
capital. The North, as an intrinsic part of Nigeria needs to improve on
all fronts, to impact positively on Nigeria’s progress and support its
growth. Since child marriage has all these devastating and diminishing
implications, surely checking the increase in the practice can only
trigger and catalyze positive growth, in so many dimensions.

It is certainly not mandatory in Islam that girls must be married off as
minors, so to keep insisting that this practice must remain sacrosanct,
given the background of needs in Northern Nigeria, is incongruous, even
under the Shari’a. Where a practice is determined to be merely
permissible and not mandatory, it is considered practicable and entirely
feasible within Islamic jurisprudence, to discourage or prohibit it,
where it is found to be so harmful to individuals and to the community.
Countries such as Yemen, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Somalia and
Bangladesh, with majority or high Muslim populations have set a minimum
age for marriage as 18, in the acknowledgment that there are serious
social, physical and mental health risks associated with child
marriages. This progressive step became necessary, in that these
indisputable facts placed a heavy burden on the accountable and
God-fearing leadership in majority Muslim countries, to protect the
vulnerable in their midst.

It is, therefore, not unreasonable
to expect that educated elite and public figures such as Senator Yerima,
being conscious of their grave responsibilities to prohibit harm and to
enjoin good in our own context, should actually discourage this
devaluing and belittling practice of early marriage, in the public good,
for the protection of the vulnerable and the realization of social
benefits. To enable our girls attain their fullest possible potential is
definitely a target that Senator Yerima should also be working
passionately towards, along with the rest of Nigerians who yearn for a
better future.

Indeed, the overriding objectives of the Sharia
include the promotion of human dignity, justice, compassion, the
removal of hardship, the prevention of harm, the realization of the
lawful benefits of the people, and the education of the individual by
inculcating in him a sense of self discipline and restraint, which aims
are by no means exclusive. All else may be adapted to achieve these
ends, which measures may encompass matters of concern not only to law
but also to economic development, administration and politics. For those
that reflect, the hardship that these little girls experience, where
married off and divorced soon after, so wantonly, is certainly
unacceptable within the faith.

Although the fundamentals of
faith and the practical pillars on which they stand remain immutable in
principle, they may be interpreted and justified at the level of
implementation in the exercise of public good. This process must of need
be carried out solely by persons learned and eminently qualified to
speak on the subject matter in question. We must always bear in mind
that the ‘appropriation’ of divine authority in religious interpretation
is best left to Scholars learned in Islamic legal philosophy and
analytical reasoning. Having acquired the requisite knowledge and
expertise (including the capacity to weigh the various views in the
particular sphere of learning in the context of our times), these
Jurists would also need to have imbibed, at the barest minimum, the
attributes of humility, compassion, reflection, wisdom, self-restraint,
diligence, objectivity, along with piety. Our learned Scholars must
stand up and be heard, rather than remain silent on matters that so
adversely affect us as individuals, as a region, a N ation and as members
of a global community, which challenges paradoxically controvert the
deeper meaning and purpose of the Shari’a.

Back to the issue
in contention, it is important to commend the thinking behind the
decision to delete the constitutional clause that seeks to lumber even
an ‘intellectually immature’ girl, where married, with the grave
responsibility of the power to renounce her citizenship, thereby
elevating the subject of citizenship to the level whereby both men and
women have similar responsibilities, without discrimination. It is hoped
that ultimately, members of the Senate would reflect deeply on the
implications of their recent action and revisit their decision to retain
the contentious clause, if only to ensure that every Nigerian citizen
of full age, without distinction, is subjected to similar standards and
responsibilities under the provisions of our Constitution.

Oh Lawd!!! I shudder to think of all these implications as enumerated by this woman. I never really thought of this ChildNotBride thing in this light. Its a really serious issue that needs to be addressed or else, it will affect the whole nation not just the North. Its already affecting us as it is infact. Yerima needs to be recalled from the Senate and jailed...he is truly shameless, a true disgrace to honest muslims.D.R

Even as a full grown up woman of 33yrs wit 4 children, I find it difficult to cope wit d stress of cooking 4 d family, preparing my kids 4 sch, washing d clothes and other house chores so u can imagine enslaving a 9yr old with such responsibilities, haba! Dat is suicide mission nah?

Hv we put to thought dat ds will mainly be binding on d poor people cos u can't imagine Dangote or Mike Adenuga giving out his daughter to a peodophile wen dey can easily and conveniently send deir children to wereva? But giving d poor a large amount of money, I bet dey will part wit deir daughters!

God bless u maa, yerima God will fight u in a way u cannot imagine, shameless man. Maternal and perinatal mortality is d order of d day in d north, all bcos of early marriage. D vvf centre at abakiliki, majority of d px are young girls from d north as well, dese man is causing more harm dan good, he needs to be stopped in anyway possible. God help us

This is the most conciously written article i have read so far with regards to this debate. I wish we had more people like the author in the senate. Kudos and keep enlightening the people madam you are what we need to make nigeria a better country. LIB readers, please try to read this. Thats why our parents sent us to school, lol

how are we so sure that this man is not among those sponsoring boko harram ..please can a child raise a child?? what sexual satisfaction comes with having sex with a little girl that has no breast and buttocks.. this is just an animalistic act..

I cant fit finish this epistle....but i got all she was saying........Yerima is in short bastard and an uneducated Islamist. Fenk God for the educated one......Those of you that support Yerima. I pray that something will happen in your family that will make 7ur daugfhter to be pregnated by one useless alfa

Good article but I must say where you wrote " it is permissible but not mandatory" is a little misguiding, you are in a way saying senator yeriwa wasn't totally wrong! It must be said that whatever happened in the Quran was how the world was as at the time!

The level of ignorance Nigerian leaders display is too great for my little mind to understand. They keep finding new ways to humble me with their illiteracy.It is like the devil chose Nigeria and cursed us with unintelligent human beings in general- (the leaders and the masses are equally dumb, just read the comments here for proof).

I know one thing, this man and all others who support this "law" irritate my soul. There are no words for what I feel. But I know the reward for the wicked awaits them. So go ahead, justify your filth with Islam, but know that there is a God. There has to be one, even if the only reason he exists is to punish you and your generations.

Yerima, your daughters will marry your friends, your granddaughters will marry your uncles, your nieces will marry your colleagues. This law isn't for "Nigerians", it is for you.

Maryam Uwais is a very intelligent woman. She enumerated and discussed how the child-bride is affected in the different areas of life eg socio-economic, maternal health etc...and she quoted the glorious Qur'an to back up her points.Those idiots (Yerima&his cohorts) are pedophiles and they only quote the Qur'an to serve their selfish interest. May God deliver us from the evil ones.

I do not know why some people are complaining that this write-up is too long, they better read,comprehend,understand and assimillate it. Education in this country is really diminishing or declining. Yerima is indeed, a disgrace and shame to this nation

Well said madam maryam uwais. With the rate of vvf amongst young married girls,level of poverty in the north they still passed the bill. If the age is therefore now opened. What happens to the age of right to vote,drive a car. I also liked the part of the property sharing. Why wld they have to wait till she is mature enough till the propertie her handed over to her. There is a lot more than what we see,hear and say

Really foolish senators all I'm goin to say is all u old fools won't escape both charges.1. life pension.2. under age marriage... All d money u people av embezzled is not enough.... U still want life pension... and okonjo iweala is sain Nigeria is cash strapped pls dey should use ur salaries to pay off d countries debt.... #THIEVES..#DEVILS.....black hearts....

Abeg long story. Are u in support or not? If u r not in support then let's see more of action and less turenchi. I can't even stand to look at this devils senators face. Each time I see him the first picture of his fat protuding stomach on top of a 6 year old comes to my mind. His seat awaits him in hell!

Wetin dey even do you self dis Prince Charming?must you speak grammar Biko who are you forming for on here? Abu u dey want make Linda notice you grammar? Simple thing you can easily potray you go use big grammar for am abi u tink say na grammar gels dey find nowadays.. If you not get money.. I pity you.. Yeye.com

SummaryIt is paradoxical that Muslims like Senator Yerima would rather their wives and daughters be treated by female medical personnel if they fall ill, and yet they are, by continuously advocating for child marriage, deliberately closing the avenues for girls to aspire to such professions.Word!

Senator Yerima is butteressing on his recent act. Thank God other fellow muslims attest to the fact that child bride marriage is illegal. It therefore means that if child marriage is legalised, then sex with an under aged child becomes legal, even rape. Have our senators considered the consequential effect that may arise as a result of the abuse of this law? I know, that none of the supporters of this law will give thier 11, 12 yrs old daughters for marriage.

Nigerians don't like to read o...looool. Read every paragraph. Well articulated - best article / statement on this debate so far. Shows in-depth knowledge not like Omotola and Stella Damasus who tried to pull a publicity stunt by lending a voice to an issue they cannot comprehend. Mehn the media is indeed a powerful tool.

SummaryIt is paradoxical that Muslims like Senator Yerima would rather their wives and daughters be treated by female medical personnel if they fall ill, and yet they are, by continuously advocating for child marriage, deliberately closing the avenues for girls to aspire to such professions.Word!

lets call a spade a spade, nigerians find it easy to cheat, d north is finding easy means to engage in promiscuity by tapping into loopholes they find in islamic proclamation. does this happen in advanced islamic nations like indonesia & malaysia?

Well said and coming from an educated muslim lady I'm impressed. Nigerians come 2015 please vote educated and sound leaders.backward leaders with their tiny lust twisted ignorant brains can't interprete the koran and apply same for the general good. Instead they twist it to suit their purpose. Nigerians r d major cause of dis counry's problems. Be enlightened so no body in d name of politics, religion or anything will deceive you.

OUR GENERATION TRULY NEEDS HELP!!! From the numerous complaints its obvious we have a long long way to go to maximize our mental potential. Complaining about the length of the story and requesting for summary of this vital news shows how shallow our minds are. If u cant read d above then it means u cant read a valuable book from start to finish. smh. #ReadersLeaders

God bless u Hajia Maryam for the briliant piece,the shameless senator will not succeed InshaAllah,and all those fools supporting those foolish senators saying is Islamic are liars,let them leave the children and go after grown ups. They are only using Islam to commit what is bad. During the time of the prophet no cars,no airoplane,no gsm, let us see yerima and is mad supporters ride on camel,avoid use of gsm, then we can say they are truely in a blind way following the exact deeds of the prophet

I'm sorry for all those complaining that this write-up is too long. Typical of the black man especially Nigerians. You'd rather spend the whole day watching Afican Magic and dulling your brain for life than empowering yourself with information. If half of you are asked to explain the real issues at hand, you will not be able to. I'm truly sorry for this country... Bunch of idiots!!!

Thank u Hajia Maryam,nice piece,let yerima and his shameless supporters start riding camels cos no airplane and cars during d time of the prophet,let them stop d use of gsm cos no Internet at dt time,it not Islam but madness from those idiots

abeg Linda the long story don dey turn my eyes, now i'm feeling dizzy. u too like long tory; Babe jst summarize it for us jare. e.g: In summary.......d'u get?too much story gets the blog boring (thank me later) . i'm still waiting for the summary oo!! if u like no post my comment, God dey.

The write up is actually worth reading! If only the north could have more of Madam Maryam Uwais,a rare combination of intellect and the muslim faith, the north would have been a better place,I strongly recommend that muslims should give knowledge acqisition a chance, and watch that region develop,As for yerima, he should hide his face in shame!The Nigerian Girlchild,irrespective of her region/religion has a right to good Education, to grow up and decide what she want to do with her life, wether to reach her goals and potentials first or to get married, and this we must ensure, Nigeria belongs to us all!

No mind them. If it's adultery gist, there'd be 1000 comments and we think our politicians are the problem. They're just a reflection of the electorate. people making noise about the child bride issue have no idea what the ruckus is about! Let's learn to read and help ourselves

All you complaining by the length of this article are fools.... That's y u Nigerians mostly remain ignorant.... You read and get knowledge, cos that's how u don't know yet come out to vomit rubbish most times...... Rubbish

For all those complaining that it is long, you are just the things wrong with this nation. If you want to keep a black man down put the key to his success in written form and he will NEVER find it. Silly twats...read and better your lives!

I'm impressed to see a Muslim woman risk her life to write up this brilliant article. A tad long but worth reading. She makes good sense and I wish this Yerima guy and others like him aren't allowed to hide their paedophilia behind sharia law.

Isn't it the same Yemen that a girl just ran away from home to avoid child marriage? And didn't Muhammed wed Aisha at 6 and bed her at 9? Purleeeeeeeeease!!! Take a chill pill.Yes, child brides are a horrible thing, and we should fight it. But beating around the bush to make it seem as if Islam isn't a problem is a lie.

It's so simple! The man does not support girls going to school, he does not want more Maryam Uwais, the ape is still backward that feels women do not have a voice,the fool should tell us and show pic of her children and wife. I pray for this country cos I don't know how a pig like that can be leader

We are our own problems. We find it difficult to read a write-up yet we'll be the 1st to criticise the same write-up we didn't read. But if it was a lewd story that was that long all d people who were asking for summaries would have been asking for more. Empower yourselves people!!!

Nigeria has many uncountable problems and none of them is early marriage. As a matter of fact early marriage is the solution to about half of our problems. For those who wonder if I can give my daughter(s) out in marriage at the age of 9 or 13, I tell you most honestly, I can give her out at the age of 6 if I want to and its not your business.

This is because I am a Muslim and I follow the example of the best of mankind, Muhammad (PBUH). In Islam, marriage is not only about sex, it is about family and helping one another in achieving their goals, which is the attainment of Paradise.In Islam, a girl can be given out in marriage as early as 6 years old, but consummation of the marriage can only be done when the girl becomes physically mature and she gives her consent to it because unlike English law, it is not permissible for a man to rape his wife in Shari'ah Law.So what can anybody tell me?~

I live in a city where young girls at the age of 12 have already became serial fornicators and cannot count the number of man they've had sex with.~

I live in a City where primary school children disvirgin themselves behind toilets on Valentine day.~ I live in a city where young girls flood the street at night looking for men that would give them N500 to have sex with them.~ I live in a city where parents send their daughters out overseas to prostitute and send dollars down.~

I live in a City where Government officials pick undergraduates from University car parks with Coastal Buses to wild sex parties.~ I live in a city where abortion is so common that even a Chemist shore owner can perform abortion with just N2,500.These are your daughters, and this should worry you and not Yerima's private matters.

All of you senseless commentators, criticising her for husband snatching, una husband dey miss? what’s your business? she has a right to be with the person she wants (remember it takes two to tangle, no be only she dey in love)at least na her mate she follow. She has been through a lot, so just shut your dirty mouth and stand for what is right, fools! You criticisers will sit there, blabbing like lunatics criticising her when you are even worse. At least you all know her flaws (she no hide am), better than you sleeping with your brothers and fathers, idiots! She spoke the truth as a mother, you obviously cannot relate with her because you think you will neva be a victim abi? Wait until your younger sisters or daughter get caught up with an old pot bellied fool. God will not forgive you. Get excited abt commenting on Lindaikeji’s page instead of you to support the fight against underage marriage. Dears… this topic is serious and disgraceful in this day and age! These are pedophiles in government. Please watch videos on how these underage girls suffer after child birth, maybe you will understand better.

I think this makes more sense to me now. That is what it takes to reserch and read wild b4 opening once mouth cos u do not only give valied points u also make constructive ag/ment. This Yarima shud hid his face in shame.just like sombody said this law i think will only be made for the poor just like his shara law then in Zanfara was for the poor

@ linda,For me i stand on for i want nd wish all the whole organizations that are fighting for this younger girls rights,to first open nd have a better place for those girls,so that when ever there parents are pushing them into early marriage,nd they will find a home or place to run into,,not to fighting in a news pepers,where will those girls run to?from swiss

they take them as a house maid,nd later accused them as a husband snatcher,,where will those girls run to?in the street?who will provide for them?who will take them home?can we ur readers help to build a place for those kids?talk talk talks,,nd comments,government don't help,can we help?from swiss

@ Prince Charming:nice one @ "dogs don't do puppies".This is My best article,well written n comprehensive .I wonder why some people were complaining d write-up was too long.I'll advise U̶̲̥̅̊ keep ur comment to urself next tym,stop being myopic in ur reasoning.God bless U̶̲̥̅̊ Maryam Uwais.I support The #childnotbride# initiative all The way.

a lot of lib readers are so lazy silly and they still lack that patience to read...dont ever call or blame linda when u can read..muslim is just a problem in this country we just have divide nothinelse

Did u hear urself? So Ȋ̝̊†̥ is permissibe according to Islam but should Ȋ̝̊†̥ now be a thing by which the law of the land wil enforce upon by binding Ȋ̝̊†̥ by law?

Being permitted doesnt mean shld being backed ny the law or be mandated!

Any individual or community Ώђo wants to engage into such an act which the Northerners had already being doing can even frm time inception are permitted or go ahead to do Ȋ̝̊†̥ but surely such an act shld nt be mandated r being backed by the law! And morever Islam itself doesnt mandate Ȋ̝̊†̥ as in make Ȋ̝̊†̥ a compulsion but only permissible!

And even @ dat Islam stil kicks against Ȋ̝̊†̥ if and only if there are health related risks and such shouldnt be allowed and ofcourse u can see or aware of the statistics and high rates of maternal death in d northern part of the country as a result of early marriage among minors!

By far the most balanced and best argued contribution to the child marriage debate. She incorporated beautifully the teachings of Islam into her piece emphasizing notably that there is room for change in Islamic law if the Umma agree on a modification that protects the primary entities the religion considers precious. Informed arguments like this are the best way to counter those choosing to defend their sins with religion. Impassioned arguments dont facilitate meaningful discussion.

Anon@1226. So is legalising underage sex the solution. How about adopting a unfortunate female and sponsoring her education to what ever level she wants to get to. If you are so concerned about prostitution how about helping this girls to eat, helping there families to support them. No one would turn to prostitution and serial abortions if they could eat well, live well like human beings. It is poverty that causes it. So why then should you take advantage of the poverty of your fellow human being . I recognise this write up as yerima a response when questioned on under aged marriage. Nobody is fooled by it. In the best interest of a child should not involve your PENIS, sexual gratification. It is RAPE. If you are really concerned about the plight of young females, adopt them into your family as daughters. Let them grow along side your own children, afford them whatever you do for your children. Let them call you daddy. Let them experience childhood. And when they growup let them decide who they want to marry or not. Yerimas of this world just want to have sex with children. They are PEODOPHILES . They would use what ever reason to get sexual pleasure from a child. There are many many ways to help poor female gals. The lest of which is legalising raping them. My name is amaka obi. I say no to child rape

I'm a muslim and I attended Ahmadu Bello uNiversity,I was in the same set with yerima's daughters while he was still governor,they weren't married off at a tender age,they were full blown adults b4 they got married and they rode in exotic cars!all those saying the write up is too long please try and read,because the knowledge I got from this write up has really enlightened me,although I was never in support of child marriage neither is my mother who is even "uneducated"she kicks against it seriously,I've gotten new points to back my arguement as why child marriage shldnt be encouraged and I hope this write up shows people that islam is a peaceful religion except for evil people who portray it badly and twist it to suit their own personal interest..linda post my comment oo!

Are these your views or yerimas. Anon@1226. What you are insinuating is Wrong on sooooo many levels I can't begin to explain. All I can say is dat u are in a dark, dark, place. You need salvation to enlighten you. Sorry o!

So how is she physically matured and how do u get consent for sex from a 8 yr old. Do you bribe her with candies. Fucking pervet. Peodophiles do the same thing. Oyibo call am GROOMING. Is that what Islam supports.

Thank you very much madam. We need more of you in our society. This is the type of person that should be in the senate. She's so intelligent. Very well written ma. And she said people like Yerima would prefer female doctors treating their wives and daughters. Those useless northern pedophiles. That's what they do, yet they steal children from their parents in the name of marriage and kill their hopes, dreams, etc. The senators had better have a rethink on that bill, because the Nigerian woman will not keep quiet until she gets what she wants. Thank you once again madam.

This piece is well written and thank God it comes from a learned woman with an Islamic background. The same Northerners who are destroying the country and blaming the president are the same people whom God has exposed for we to see the sort of humans who wish to come and rule us again in this 21st century. Having under-developed their region for the past 35yrs and all their evils exposed think they can come and Lord it over us again lailai it can`t happen.

Evil thrive when good men do nothing. Only education and right leadership can bring real change in the North in particular and Nigeria at large. That’s why these men prevent western education from reaching their people, so they can control their people and harass women. I hope every Nigerian can stand up and fight this.

That women and our children continue to fight for their rights in this day and age is incredibly sad. But good men must support them and not capitulate!(DAVID MARK take note) Because politicians gain more courage to act when community leaders speak out, without support from community leaders, senators fear passing laws will cost them votes and they will lose power to make any difference at all. Thank you, Mrs. Uwais.

Too long? Seriously if this was a blow by blow story of a celebrity, Pastor or Politician’s sex and relationship life those of you yelling too long will read, analyze every detail and summarize in record time. #itsallaboutinterest#

What about the men. Do the girls make themselves pregnant? Do the girls arrange sex parties for themselves? Who arrange it then? Who spoil these young girls? They are still your men, your own people, married men from your area that sleep and spoil the girls. Charity begins at home. So the whole mess should be cleaned from there.

Yerima I live in a city were poverty and ignorance has pushed young girls to selling their bodies for money. I live in a city were other young girls are at risk of rape from peodophiles like your self. Your methods are far, far, far from a solution in fact your cure is worse than the disease. Old cowardly pervert hiding behind a foul beard and religion.

To all you professors of another man language. English is not Nigerians problem. It is poverty, hunger and ignorance. After all did you professors no that this constitution existed before. Talk true o!. Even in England when the government want to inform people they produce leaflet to cover as many of the local languages in their constitution as possible. If people say they do not understand the write up, what's the big deal just break it down to their level. Don't be so fucking aloof and elites . You are more ignorant than you think. Science is discovery. Go and find the square root to your villages and then find out if English is their problem.

Evil thrive when good men do nothing. Only education and right leadership can bring real change in the North in particular and Nigeria at large. That’s why these men prevent western education from reaching their people, so they can keep controlling them with crumbs. I hope every Nigerian can stand up and fight this. That women and our children continue to fight for their right to self determination in this day and age is incredibly sad. But good men must support them and not capitulate!(DAVID MARK take note) Because politicians gain more courage to act when community leaders speak out, without support from community leaders, senators fear passing laws will cost them votes and they will lose power to make any difference at all. Thank you, Mrs. Uwais.

This includes parents that force wives and husbands on their children of all ages. STOP

Too long? Seriously if this was a blow by blow story of a celebrity, Pastor or Politician’s sex and relationship life those of you yelling too long will read, analyze every detail and summarize in record time. #itsallaboutinterest#

@Nana. nobody has a problem with those that do not understand. The problem is with people that said its too long. Two diffrent things. I believe its not because they are dumb or not educated. We live in an instant gratification world. RIGHT NOW, RIGHT HERE. Why do the work when I can just skip the line and get to the real gist. Same reason people drive one-way or cut you off in traffic or at toll gate. Its in our nature as Nigerians. Hurry up and wait. :). You got to love our people. We are not insulting people, just pointing the obvious. Its not an insult if its true. #justsaying#

This is a very good write up and sheds more light on the so called Sharia law. It is always the negative side portrayed in the Islamic society which does not favour the female gender.

I pray that the senate revisits the decision and delete the clause or rather still amend that part of the constitution.

I also observed that a lot of commenter do not have the habit of reading. This is very bad. In this time an age, it is not about gossip or who wore the best clothes, it is about knowledge and knowing what is going on around you by reading. No wonder the saying that goes "the only way to deceive a black man is by giving him a book to read" is actually true. The youths should cultivate the habit of reading as it stands you out.

Please learn to read. it is very important and as a young lady in particular!

@anonymous 12:26, with all the education you have in writing an articulate comment, you still support the depredation of a GIRLCHILD? Wow! I now see why Yerima acts the way he does with all the education!

Nana,the issue isn't in understanding the content but at the length of the write up.however,how can they or maybe even you know if you will understand what's written when you haven't even tried to read thru first.and as long as we Nigerians accept English as our base tongue,then we must attempt to understand it.this is plainly written in English and not Portuguese

I agree this essay is a long difficult read. That is how the existing constitution is written to confuse people. The fact dat it is voluminous opens it to misinterpretation. I get the gist but people can quote out of context. In summary Nigerians use simple English. You no go Sabi pass your colonial masters.

As long as we continue to cut out a large portion of our nation by keeping them in the dark. There will always be ignorance and the people who thrive on others ignorance. How will my Aboki understand this, essay.

Now if this write up was about 2face idibia having another child, all the LIB fans will jump on it!!even if na 1million paragraphs. Please read!!!! ndi ara!!My question is why has Madam Goodluck Jonathan been quiet on this issue!!! this na the part wey suppose concern her office abi?

@ada I have read the tiresome text. If this is some sort of information campaign then it should be easy enough for the common man to understand. Am at uni and I have shown this text to some of my colleagues whose first language is English not Portuguese they couldn't make head or tail of it. And Ada this is a blog you are entitled to your own opinion and so am I. Allbloggedout.

@Nana I agree it's long and tedious read. @Olu that's an oversimplification. Remember this is not an up or down vote on child marriage. It came out of amendment about what age a person can be able to renounce their Nigerian citizenship. A pedophile made it a religious issue. To counter Yerima, Mrs Uwais needed to go back to the sharia law he used, hence the epistle.

Just finished reading. The summary is that Islam permits it, but in the weight of other issues a good Muslim would not even consider doing it.seems a bit double standard but hey there it is. My name is debbie Williams and I stand firmly against underage marriage.

Ok dat is some rily long speech or letter... Cudnt finish it abeg.. Well,,,I see shez against d child marriage law.. Let more people dat matter speak up until dis rubbish wud not just be swept under d carpet but also burnt nd destroyed.. MYRAYA SAYS

Am really no bothered about what you do with your life but am much more bothered about an innocent child you are giving out to a useless brain of a man as wife. The guy that said he will honestly give out his daughter at the age of 6, why wait till six why not do the right thing and have sex with her too so that she can fully be ready to take on another wicked man's Dunga, idiot. Go tell your wife that you want to give her child at the age of 6 "if you want to" animal.ANIMAL!!

Deleting that section of the constitution wouldn't do any good in curbing underage marriage. That section of the constitution is based on citenzship. A girl is of full of age when married and can only renounce her citenzship. She does not have the power to vote or any othe obligations attached to being of full of age. Full age under the law is any person who is above the age of 18. There is a loop hole in our laws and yes we are fighting the right cause but I feel we are a little misguided and should go back to the drawing board study the laws and present a better case.

Blaady illiterates...showing ur parents money was wasted sending y'all to be educated. Too long?? Everyone is supporting and signing and using dp's as #childnotbride#, yet you don't knw jack abt d issue. The writer has elaborated and clarified a whole lot. That she as a dedicated and enlightened muslim makes it all the more exciting. Standing against yerima with religion and education and experience. Then u call it boring...shame shame shame!

This blessed woman just said "yerima, go fuck yourself" in the most intellectual, and most polite way possible. I'm glad that women are speaking up, because honestly men will neva truely understand wat it means wen ur female child is been subjected to pain, only women/ mothers fully understand. That the child u carried for 9months, who u still call "baby" at as early as 8 or 12, would now be some old hags wife. Nigeria.... *spits* e remain make UN involve for the matter. #waste of earth space, oxygen and resources..... #that girl

Ehen, all Ye that haven't read dis woman's speech, u Need to look in the mirror and say to yourself, "I'm a lazy, shallow minded ass" because if na wetin tonto dike talk, or wizkid, una go open eye like rat, read..... Lol... No disrespect tho, everyone should read this please, this is the best reaction to this issue I've heard and or seen......really.... Get to reading, we need to empower ourselves with information, and wat beta way than to read?......#that girl

I Wanda Y people dey blame Yerima alone as if the decision was not by vote, abi na imposition? Others wey vote for the despicable propositions are all block heads and are not fit to be formulating laws for us. Now the Akure Senatorial rep dey cry say I'm regret his vote, dem jazz am b4. Nonsense, useless people.

This thesis tooooo long. You for summarise am bring out the main points. Who gete time to read long, long opinion of other people. She no even cite anyone na so so her opinion. Long and short of the matter na say Islam support underage marriage, but, but ,but. Anyway this long write up is Full of loop holes. If you done write thesis before you will realise dat. Some mumu people just dey congratulate themselves say them manage read through the whole thing sweating and consulting dictionary. Nigerian mentality.

As I said,we are the cause of where we are today.rather than assimilate the write up,you have chosen to attack a true and factual analysis of why Nigerians are failing in different sectors.

We can't read a couple of paragraphs without groaning.how then do we read several text books?how do we get the information required to fight this injustice and several more thrown at us by people in authority.

How do we make constructive corrections when we psyche ourselves negatively.

Its a little worrisome that undergraduates cannot make head or tail of this write up.

I am not castigating them.and no one has a monopoly of any given subject.but that's why we need to continuously seek information and its interpretation.

We need to all do this as a nation.information is the only weapon we have.

The lecturers in school don't give you just 10 pages of a course because some won't understand.at college level even high school level,we ought to understand this write up.if we don't then we should ask and not hide under its length.

Please explain to those around you that don't.One day,it might come in handy.

Is she alleging that The religion is misleading andi is opened to interpretations.? So this is her own interpretation of it. And therefore the peadophile yerima is entitled to his own interpretation too. It says a lot about the religion. I say no to underage marriage. In this case you cannot use Islam to fight this old goat because he has firm ground to stand on and it can be argued all day and night. It is the Law that should try him has a peadophile .

@ Ada. Thank you dear for your final analyst of wat u and ur kind call a master piece. No citations though. You get an A* for effort. Course title blogology. You are now a certified Blogologist well done o! Madam. Oh and let's not forget the mandatory God bless you darlin.

i wounder hw mr yerima became a senator in dis country and all d members of d house sitting to discuss dis issue r fools xspecialy the mothers in dat senate house...may God save dis nation from destruction.Amen

Lool. One thing that has always made me laugh is the immersed wordiness of the typical Nigerian. As if to prove their level of education or lack of it in most cases. To my honourable profs , things don't have to be complicated to be tangible but somewhere between the village and Ivy League we got the wrong idea. This write up's got notting on Shakespeare. Anyway back to the matter. NO TO UNDER AGED MARRIAGE . Simple

Madam Maryam how come you are just responding to this issue now. As a child rights activist you should have spear headed this campaign earlier on when yerima took his 12 year old sex slave as wife. Talk is cheap.words are plentiful. Deeds are precious. Actions are priceless. Some people love cheap things dat is why they would buy everything you say.

Islamis a complete way of life and itsinstitutions (including that of marriage)are based on divinely ordained and welldocumented rules. Whoever wishes tolegislate constructively or commentobjectively on any aspect of Islam musttherefore arm himself with the divine anddocumentary evidence. Anything short ofthis will earn lawmakers andcommentators disrespect and contemptof Islamdom.The conditions of marriage in Islam arefour, namely, proposal and acceptance (al-Ijaab wa alqubuul), approval by bothparents (ridaa alwaalidayn), payment of adowry by the groom (al-mihr) and thepresence of at least two male witnessesat the ceremony (shaahidayn ‘aadilayn ).Age is therefore not part of theconditions which must be met beforemarriage can be solemnized in Islam.Where the bride is a ‘minor’, Islamprescribes protective solemnization ofmarriage without consummation. Thismeans that the girl who is deemed to beof tender age is left untouched by theman until she attains puberty. Anothermajor condition for child marriage is thatthe girl herself has the right to repudiatethe marriage when she attains maturity ifshe does not like her ‘spouse’.MURIC believes thathonourable and dignifying child marriageis better than child prostitution which isrampant in Nigerian cities and red lightzones. In comparison, the globalizationand promotion of homosexualism,lesbianism and same sex marriage is adirect challenge of the Creator’s divineorder. Whereas child marriage involvestwo proud and happy families, same sexmarriage drives families of the two partiesunderground, embarrassed andemotionally devastated.The notion of a secular Nigeria is anunmitigated farce. We challenge thosebehind this monumental deceit toproduce the word ‘secular’ from theNigerian constitution. How can you sayNigeria is a secular nation when the word‘secular’ is not in our constitution? It doesnot exist. It is a mirage. The fact of thematter is that Nigeria is a multi-religiouscountry. It is when some people want torob Muslims of their Allah-given andfundamental rights that they label Nigeria‘secular’.We therefore appeal to our lawmakersnot to allow self-acclaimed constitutionalideologues to railroad them intotampering with the Allah-given andfundamental rights of Muslims. Nigeria’sconstitution must take into considerationthe various ethnic and religious groups inorder to create a symphony. Anyconstitution that does not take thepeople’s cultures and religions intoconsideration is not only draconian butdesigned to fail from the onset.For instance, the Nigerian matrimoniallaw which stipulates marriage to only onewoman is designed to cater for Christians.Legislators must leave alone thoseclauses which cater for Muslim marriageotherwise they will be unfair to Muslims.-culled from Muslim Rights Concern press Release written by Professor Ishaq Akintola